35 Weeks

The last couple weeks have been hard, but we are coming to the home stretch and soon we will have our baby boy!  I find that I can't have ANY sodium or I am physically miserable.  A very small bowl of chilli made me gain 10 pounds over night-purple hands-lips-legs-hands-feet...it was bad.  I went on sodium detox and got the water weight off but you really don't realize how present sodium is in everything.  My blood pressure is fine as long as I don't eat sodium...today it was 129/90.  I am starting to not sleep well...do to the water retention and swelling also due to I drink about 100oz of water a day and am up to the bathroom 3-4 times in a night.  I have gained 25 pounds and I am hoping the weight will come to a stand still in the 9th month...the lack of sodium in my diet will help with that.  


From here on out, I'll start seeing the doctor every week. Next week (2/25) I get a culture to check for bacteria called Group B streptococci...I had this with Riley. GBS is usually harmless in adults, but if you have it and pass it on to your baby during birth, it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, or a blood infection. Because 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women have the bacteria and don't know it, it's vital to be screened.  Since I was a GBS carrier with Riley, I got an IV antibiotics during labor, and because the bacteria comes and goes on it's own there is no guarantee I will have it this time.  Hopefully I don't have it this time...I really didn't like the IV! 








Baby weighs about 5.25 pounds and is 18.5 inches long.  Riley was 8 pounds 4.4 oz and 23 inches long and was born 1 day after his due date.  If on time:  I am guessing Tate will be 8 pounds 9 ounces and 22 inches long...any wagers on weight and length, remember he is gaining on average a 1/2 - 3/4 ounce a day.

Happy Valentine's Day

 Ryan surprised me Friday morning (our day of choice for Valentine's Day)  with a scavenger hunt.  Each card  had a reason why he loved me :)  and a clue that lead me to a different room in the house to eventually find out he was taking me to dinner that night at Italiano Bravo! and a movie of my choosing.

That night he picked me up with a bonus surprise of roses...and grandma Deb to watch the little monster.  We get to the restaurant and there is a 75 minute wait...which won't work with trying to catch the movie.  So we move on to the next place PF Chang's...which has a small revolving door for an entrance.  They also have a 75 minute wait...as we leave PF Chang's Ryan proceeds into the revolving door and I  mistakingly get into the same section of door Ryan is in...and it's a tight fit.  Ryan yells " what are you doing!  did you actually think we could both fit in here!"  So there we were, a giant man and a very pregnant woman shuffling their way out of a revolving door, praying we wouldn't get stuck and have to have the fire department use the jaws of life to get us out. [I of coarse was about to pee my pants from laughing so hard] Luckily we escaped Chinese Finger trap of a door...and a fed up Ryan proclaims it a Wendy's night!   But I suggested we keep trying, so we go to the Cheesecake Factory, which was a 30 minute wait...which was perfect! However,  I was under the impression that the Cheesecake factory was a fancy restaurant [Ryan and I were dressed up for the occasion] but I was wrong.  Teeny boppers on fake dates, adults with sweat shirts...and even camouflage pants were amongst us.  The restaurant was beautiful but the customers...not so much.  We eventually got sat next to the bar at a 1x2 foot table...which Ryan noticed was THE smallest table in the place...The service was good and the food tasted great, unfortunately I couldn't see it because the lights were so dim.  I gave Ryan a bite of my salad and he said "what did I just eat!?"  We then went to the movie "Just go with it"  [which was really funny]  The theater was packed, so we had to sit 2 feet from the screen, luckily it wasn't a fast paced movie.  But there was something about this movie that turned Ryan in to a large black woman...because he blurted out "Oh no you didn't!"  and then looked at me like "did I just say that...?" and sunk into his seat!

All in all it was the best Valentine's Day ever!  I wouldn't have had it any other way...even though it didn't go as Ryan had pictured it, we got to do what we do best...laugh and have fun!  Ryan really went above and beyond to show me how much he loves me and I couldn't ask for a better guy!

Happy Valentine's Day

Sweet Nothings...

Ryan says some sweet things once in a while like "did you brush your teeth today" and "oh you colored your hair...I didn't even notice"  but the one that tops them off, he said this weekend...He was describing how I think weird things are funny and that it was sort of annoying when I make him rewind funny parts in movies 15 times until I laugh so hard I cry...So I responded... "isn't that endearing and sort of cute though....?"  And Ryan's response..."...it will be when your gone"

So, dear Ryan, this video clip is for you...I hope you find it funny (when I'm gone)  :)

http://www.hulu.com/watch/126482/saturday-night-live-update-garth-and-kat

Somethings can't wait until Mother's Day!

I love my mom...she makes the best food [pizza subs]...she gives the best advice and she makes home feel like...home.  But sometimes she says crazy things, so when I came across this video clip I thought of her, enjoy!

http://www.hulu.com/watch/72442/saturday-night-live-mom-translator

chocolate coated candies....

Last week I needed to run to the mall and thought I would kill 2 birds with one stone and let Riley run wild to burn off some energy (hoping it would encourage an actual nap) So here we go to the mall at 10:30am, we didn't even make out of town and Riley was saying "chicken? chicken?"  So we stopped at Mc Donald's -because he will probably need his energy- we ate at Mc Donald's at 10:45 am.  Now to the mall...our mall adventure started well, the expectant mother's parking spot was wide open, so we didn't have to walk far.  We go right to the play area in Jordan Creek and Riley loves it there...until about 30 minutes into play, I see across the way, Riley "lovingly" hugging a little girl to the ground and sitting on her...I quickly get up from my place of sitting and pile drive through crowds of small children and babies to tell Riley "No" ...By the time I got back across to sit down again, I turn around to see Riley trying to "lovingly" hug another small child at the top of the slide and they proceed to roll down the slide.  While, I really don't think it's a big deal-none of the kids seemed to mind and I have seen other kids to WAY worse-I felt like I was starting to get bad looks from some moms...soooo we left.
I didn't bring a stroller-to get that energy burned-and Riley did so well with holding my hand and keeping up.  We took the stairs twice and got all my stops done...first stop was Creative Kids Place to get Riley a new truck- since his was in a horrible accident- and to look for a birthday gift for Caleigh.  I found Riley's truck and I started to look for Caleigh's gift, as I was reading the back of something, I turned to check on Riley and he had taken every.single.truck car and van in the store and lined them up from one end on the store to the other end.  I'm talking a 40 foot wide store...customers were stepping over this caravan of vehicles to get to the back of the store.  Luckily the sales clerk didn't care, needless to say it was time to check out.  Slowly but surely Riley was losing energy and we started to have a melt down in Scheels, so I got him a bag of M&M's and put it in his front pocket of his sweatshirt so he could just reach in and take as he pleased...I needed to stop at one more place and it was clear across the mall but the M&M's -despite the obvious exhaustion- seemed to be working.  We finally got to the kiosk-those specialty shops in the middle of the mall- that I wanted to look at and I told Riley to sit on the bench close by-and by close I mean 2 feet away and in clear sight-he sat very well, but I was being very indecisive and I noticed the child melting to the floor of the mall and then he proceeded lay down on the floor of the mall and as he did this ALL of his M&M's fell out of his pocket. So as the M&M's scattered around my child laying on the mall floor,  I hurried to make a decision and as I was checking out, I turned to notice Riley laying on his belly, cheek to floor and eating the chocolate coated candies right off the mall floor... (and I thought I was getting dirty looks in the play area).  But by this time I was exhausted, dripping sweat and could care less...so go ahead and judge me pottery barn shoppers with your chicco strollers...if  letting your toddler run free at the mall and eat candy off the mall floor disgusts you,  then we will just start shopping at Southridge!

A Tackle Box?

I am all about finding new products that help organize or make life simple and clean...  so when I received a fishing tackle box over the holidays from my mom, I couldn't help but wonder if she had finally gone off the deep end or if I was missing something.  WELL>>>turns out mom isn't crazy, it's a great way to store makeup and customize the size of the compartments...I fell in love with the idea so much I went out and bought 2 more for Riley's trains and cars!  He loves it cuz he can put them away easily and see into the box when it's closed...and there is a BONUS!  Toy car storage boxes and train boxes cost any where from $15-$50 bucks...this tackle box is $6 at Wal Mart!  I am sure you have something in your house that could fit in this...hair bow, crafts or even fishing gear :)

What you can learn from a two year old...

After spending 24-7 with Riley for 2 1/2 years...I have tried to be the best teacher I could be.  Ryan and I both actively participate in reading, playing, and learning.  And now that preschool registration is around the corner we have really been pushing the school basics...ABC's...123's and so on.  But as I lay in bed the other night I couldn't help but laugh at this epiphany...I think out of all the things we have taught Riley...Ryan and I have learned more from him.  Riley- a 2 year old- has taught me more than anyone else in my whole entire life!  He hasn't taught us how to be  millionaires...or how to rule the world.  He has taught us the most important lesson in life...happiness!  Here is a list of rules to live by according to a 2 year old

1.enjoy the sounds of life and mimic them loudly...train-choo choo...cow-moo...car-vrooom...
2. a good healthy poop should always be admired
3. string cheese, fruit snacks and chocolate milk should be staples in your diet
4. if you hear a good beat...dance...just dance
5. bubble baths are cool
6.  toots -no matter who-what-where-when-how- ARE funny...so laugh at them
7. dress for comfort not style
8. sometimes it's just easier to pick it- nose or bottom
9. make friends with strangers and hug them goodbye
10. mommy and daddy will always be your best friends and first loves!

30 Weeks

Had our follow up and 30 week appointment today...My blood pressure was still 140/90 sitting and 117/74 lying down.  The doc said that this tells her my blood pressure depends on my activity and positioning, so I am again, suppose to take it easy.  Riley went with me again this time, he went around hugging all the little kids in the waiting room and was so sad when they left with their mommies.  I brought the dvd player for him to watch in the room while the doctor did all her stuff (baby's heart beat, measure my belly)...so Riley watched Wonder Pets very quietly while the doctor discussed how I need to take it easy...she suggested, "...get a sitter or take him to grandmas or..... " and she looked over at him "put on Wonder Pets!"  I have to go weekly to the doctor now to monitor my blood pressure (since it was my blood pressure  (150/100) that forced us to be induced with Riley, they want to monitor it more closely so we don't have to be induced again)  So I have another appointment on Thursday at 10:30.  I have no other issues besides my BP, my kidneys are good, liver is good, weight (20 gained) is good...and most importantly baby Tate is good...heart beat is strong and these days...he is hanging out upside down, just like he is suppose to, kicking mommy in the side and diaphragm making my have to hiccup.

Good News

The clinical lab called today and let me know the results of the blood test.  They tested the ph levels in my blood for hypertension and everything came back normal.  I am still suppose to take it easy until my Friday follow-up appointment when we can confirm my blood pressure has lowered...I still feel funky, so maybe that's due to over-doing it a bit with the house cleaning and stair climbing (I have self-diagnosed myself with nesting OCD, which makes me want to clean everything all the time) plus holiday food packed full of sodium!   So I am going to watch my diet and let Ryan help with cleaning.

28 Weeks 5 days

I had our 28 week appointment today 1/6/11 @ 9 am.  I had to bring Riley, so Ryan can save as much vacation time for when the baby comes.  I was a little nervous about bringing him, but he did great...every doctor or nurse we passed by or met he called out the color of their scrubs..."BLOO!"  "GWEEEN!"  "WED!"  "PoooPle!"  Although Riley did great and the baby is fine (HB:147)  My blood pressure was 137/90...which was consistent after 4 readings.  Then I laid on my left side for a reading and it went down to 134/70, but the doctor was concerned nonetheless.  I told the doctor I did wake up this morning feeling swollen, dizzy and my vision felt "off".  She was concerned about my face and hand swelling, so she ordered me to bed rest this week and I have a follow up next Friday.  I do not have protein in my urine but I had gained 3 pounds...I'm thinking she is being cautious of preclempsia.  But I am to take it easy...she specifically said no house cleaning or grocery shopping.  This may be a rough week.  The 28 week picture is below...no little monster in the picture with me this time...but you will notice the swelling in my face and the rash on the back of my arms (which I got when I was pregnant with Riley too) My hair is starting to grow weird...new hair growth sticks out straight and I have to mat it down with hair spray.  I'm starting to feel more tired...which might be correlated with the high blood pressure.  I now have to sleep with 5 pillows (I did the same thing with Riley) strategically placed around my body so I get and STAY comfortable throughout the night.  Soon there won't be any more room for poor Ryan.  I still crave apples...apple pie, caramel apples anything apple.  And egg burritos.  


Baby is about the size of a butternut squash...almost 3 pounds and 15 inches long... Heart beat was 147.  We feel him move a lot and are starting to recognize or guess the body part we feel.  I am just too excited for this baby to be here...I am ready to be a family of FOUR! :)

A New Year Full of New Things

Since the weather was crappy on New Years...we did nothing.  Not that we had wild and crazy plans.  But on Sunday I had the pleasure of taking our friends Dameon and Lindsay's newborn's photos...Henry Dean was born December 19th...3 weeks early. This baby could not be more perfect...he barely fussed the whole 3 HOURS and didn't poop on me once.  It was fun and since I hadn't done a newborn session in a while, reminded me why I love it so much!

A Proud Mom...

WARNING! Bragging Parent Alert!  

Please avoid reading if you are severely annoyed with parents that brag about their kids! 

This summer, if you were to ask me if my toddler was excelling physically...I would have said absolutely....if you would have asked me if my toddler was excelling mentally I would have changed the subject.  BUT, since Riley has turned 2 and we found out we were expecting baby #2....our lives have been swtiched upside down.  And Riley has become a little person.  So much has changed with his abilities (I'm not sure what is normal) but we sure are proud!

Riley is...

Potty Trained during the day (he can even pee standing up) (9/2010)
sleeping in a toddler bed and stays in it (8/2010)
eating what mommy and daddy eat for supper or gets nothing :)

Riley can...

jump with both feet 

alternate feet walking up stairs

balance on either foot
Stack blocks until they are too tall to stand!
Wash and dry hands
Brush his own teeth
Open doors
Draw a vertical line
Use pronouns; my, I, you
Recites his own name "R is for Riley!"
Uses adjectives:  green horse, cold milk, and his favorite "Riley's a big boy!"
Carry on a simple conversation...the other day we had one about a Big green horse outside...I just kept asking questions and he kept making up this tall tale!
Following commands like: "take your blankie upstairs and bring down a book to read" or "throw this paper in the trash and bring back a tissue"
Imitate sad and happy

Understands descriptions like big and small "Riley bring mommy the big truck"

Riley Knows...

All the letters in the alphabet and recognizes them in books, signs and everywhere else letters are

The following colors (purple, blue, pink, green, yellow, red, brown, orange) again recognizes them everywhere 

The following shapes (heart, diamond, triangle, circle, square, oval, rectangle)

It's just so exciting to see how much toddlers learn and to FINALLY be able to hear their thoughts is amazing to me!  We are to the point where we can calm a hissy fit and ask..."tell mommy what is wrong..."  and we get an answer!  So rewarding and it will be nice to have a little helper around when baby #2 comes!

Cozy up for winter

  The snow has fallen and our new house has officially become our new home.  The decor is in place and little finger prints are pressed on doors, light switches and walls...we've laid our claim.  We took family pictures this fall and I have always wanted a frame collage on the wall but never wanted  to spend the money on frames...well since we moved I discovered a whole tote of black frames...so after a little measuring, a little creativity and falling off the ladder twice... I came up with this...for $0 (which is even better)

Also this year in our new house home, we have a new Christmas tree theme.  All I changed was the ribbon and got candy canes...$10 max!  But what a difference and very festive!

are stockings are hung....

 Finally Ryan and I got a much needed gift for each other this year...Recliner Chairs.  Our couches are old and we have been talking about getting new furniture forever...we got these for 50% off at homemakers and they are wonderful...super soft and comfy!  They will be perfect for when baby Tate is here.  We got them in "his" and "hers" colors. Ryan placed his chair(brown)  to have the best view of the TV and I placed my near a table.  We are officially an old couple! :)

24 Weeks and 4 days

We had our 24 week appointment today, and it was the always pleasant glucose screening.   I went in at 8 am, drank some gross orange drink and waited for 1 hour, then they took my blood.  The drink made me nauseous and so that hour felt like eternity.  My blood sugar level was fine...no gestational diabetes here.   I also had a regular appointment, my BP was 119/86 and baby's HB was 130.  I am feeling the aftermath of sodium filled holiday dinners, the doctor said pregnancy makes it hard for the body to expel excess water, so drinking tons of water should help.   Plus I need to watch the sodium, if I eat McDonalds I can feel my face, lips, hand, legs and feet start to swell, it's not pleasant.  Our next appointment is January 5th and it will be the last 4 week appointment, after that it's every 2 weeks!  This baby will be here before we know it!

1 Month Until....

CHRISTMAS!
Just a sneak at some trimmings around our house.  Most of our decor is hand-me-downs or rummage sale finds...which I think makes our Christmas decor unique and special.

Grandpa & Grandma Brown's Santa Candy Cane Holder (with "fresh" candy canes)

Craft show find, I love personalized decor

Opportunity Village (Clear Lake's Version of Good Will)  I was going to buy Pottery Barn Stockings, but my mom found these for $2!  I think they are great, reminiscent of mine and Ryan's stockings as kids.  

Santa's Plate, a gift from my mom 2 years ago and this is the first year we get to use it!

Baby's Room Peek

We started organizing and putting the baby's room together this week...

Riley has a beloved blankie and he picked this one out for his baby brother...

Craft show find...that I love!

21 Week Baby Update

We had our second ultrasound to check for heart defects and even though little baby boy wasn't cooperating again...the tech managed to get what she needed and didn't see anything abnormal...so we are in the clear.  We took Riley to this ultra sound and he was pretty excited to see the baby, he kind of acted like he understood the process of gooey gel on mommy's belly = picture of baby on tv :)  That night at home he kept wanting to kiss and hug my belly...and said "awwww....baby, love you baby"

Clark W. Griswold

Like every responsible Christmas decorator Ryan decided to put up the outdoor lights before it got too cold or too snowy.  I thought he was just going to string the lights on the porch...I guess I have my very own Clark on my hands.  Riley kept climbing the ladder yelling "Daddy...you there?"  When Ryan got down, we went to go plug in the lights and he said "this better %&*@#$ work!"  HA!  They did and he did a wonderful job!

Chuck+Door Hinge

Riley was pushing and pushing his Chuck Truck and ran into the door hinge, head first.  Ryan was reading the paper (he had the day off for Vet's day)  and I was fixing lunch...When I heard Riley start crying, I really didn't think much of it because he always runs into something, until I turned around and saw blood pouring down his face!  Ryan didn't react until he heard me say "OH MY GOD!!!"  he jumped up and aided the poor child as I paniced and got a roll of paper towels.  As I wiped the blood away, I saw a hole about the size of a door hinge.  We took him to urgent care and they glued and butterflied it shut, the doc didn't think Riley would sit still for stitches...he was right.  

 

Arts and Crafts

Recently Riley has been going through a "change"  with his behavior. Lots of fits, lots of hitting, lots of screaming, lots of time outs!  He doesn't take his naps like he use to, during his naps, he has pulled his dresser over twice, torn up 3 books, pulled down the curtains, I found dirty hands prints on the wall that are way to high for him to reach??? (I have no idea)  I am in his room every 5 minutes telling him to get back in bed.  It has been exhausting!

So Ryan and I had a pow wow and discussed this problem...because we refuse to give into the "terrible two's" theory.  We figured out I need to have more organized mental activities during the day.  So I went and bought finger paint, colors, coloring books, games...all kinds of art supplies.  And guess what....so far so good!  Although we still have a fit once in a while, he is 100% easier to deal with.  He is not the most artistic child, but he loves a task.  I guess all he needed was a little bit more attention and mental stimulation...and mom and dad have fun with the crafts too!  It's a win-win!  Here are some pictures from the last week!

Finger Paint!? How about Toe Paint!

 I poked holes in a foam bowl and Riley was so intent on stringing the leaves through the holes

We collected a bunch of leaves, smeared glue and squashed the leaves down!  I then asked Riley to draw a purple flower, brown dog, orange cat, green grass hopper, blue bird...he did his best and I added the faces

We went out and counted stars one night and the next day we finger painted what we saw...I drew the moon and Riley smeared the blue and red paint together, then we added sparkles for the stars!